Prompt: Essay 1

Essay 1 – Rhetorical Analysis

“To analyze an argument rhetorically means to examine closely how it is composed and what makes it an effective or ineffective piece of persuasion. A rhetorical analysis identifies the text under scrutiny, summarizes its main ideas, presents some key points about the text’s rhetorical strategies for persuading its audience, and elaborates on these points.”                              -- Ramage, Bean, and Johnson in Writing Arguments

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Write a rhetorical analysis essay of 4-5 pages on one of the articles listed below from The New York Times (search nytimes.com or use links on course site):

·         “Instead of Jail, Court Fines Cut to Fit the Wallet” by Tina Rosenberg

·         “Gender Based Toy Marketing Returns” by Elizabeth Sweet

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Your essay should explain the argument presented in the article and evaluate its effectiveness in persuading its audience of its central claim and reasons. Your essay should identify at the outset the audience at which the piece is aimed, its argumentative purpose, and its central argument.  Once you have identified these concerns, evaluate the rhetorical effectiveness of the given text.  A rhetorical analysis examines 1) the writer’s use of the three rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, and logos); 2) the arrangement and style of the piece; 3) the context (kairos) of the piece

To earn a passing grade, your essay should include:

1.      A title!

2. An introduction that identifies your article and sets up your argument about the article.
3. A thesis that evaluates the effectiveness of the article based on the author’s use of rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos), style, and context.
4. Effectively organized paragraphs with strong topic sentences and transitions.
5. Examples from the article (summaries and paraphrases in your own words and sentence structure, as well as some brief, correctly integrated direct quotations).

6.      A conclusion that provides closure to the essay and considers the implications of the argument.

7.      Consistent, correct use of MLA style, including

1. Proper MLA in-text citations for all paraphrases and direct quotations from the article (see pp. 384-7) and
2. A Works Cited page in correct MLA format (which does NOT count towards your page minimum) since you will be quoting from your article (see pp. 387-96). Your only source will be your article. No other research is allowed.

8.      Adherence to the conventions of standard written English.

Prewriting:

1. Choose an article and read it over carefully a few times.
2. Freewrite about your response to the argument made in the article.  What is the argument? Did the author convince you of the argument? Why or why not?  Be specific.
3. Freewrite or brainstorm responses to each of the following questions:

a.       How does the author present her- or himself as credible (ethos)?  Does this strategy work? Why or why not?

b.      Does the author use any emotional appeals (pathos)?  Are such appeals effective?  Why or why not?

c.       Does the author use sound reasoning (logos) to present the argument?  Be specific.

d.      Is the style and organization of the text effective? Why or why not?

e.       What does the author do to frame the context (kairos) of the piece?  Could more have been done? How so?

4.      List 4 quotes you might use in your essay, and explain how each one relates to your assessment of the author’s use of ethos, pathos, logos, or kairos.

5.      Write a possible thesis for your essay.